Consumer Information for Financial Aid

Consumer Information for Financial Aid

In accordance with federal regulations set forth by The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, below is a summary of financial aid-related consumer information that must be made available to all enrolled and prospective students at the City Colleges of Chicago. Each topic listed gives a description of the information that must be disclosed or explains how it can be obtained.

The Financial Aid Process

Below you will find information regarding the application process and institutional policies for receiving financial aid, as well as other important information regarding financial aid eligibility.

To learn how to begin the financial aid application process, click here.

For a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements for financial aid, click here.

Effective with the 2013/14 Academic Year: All correspondences regarding your financial aid will be sent to your student email account. However, you have the right to opt-out of receiving electronic correspondences. If you wish to opt-out, please visit your college Business Office to complete the "Opt-Out Request Form."

Types of Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office is required to provide information concerning federal, state, and local need-based and non-need-based financial aid programs that are available to our students. information regarding private education lending is also required.

The Federal Work Study Program provides a student with an opportunity to earn money for school expenses by working part-time while enrolled at one of the City Colleges. The hourly rate starts at the state-approved minimum wage. Most jobs are located on campus. You must have a valid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file, and meet other eligibility criteria, in order to be qualified for Federal Work Study.Federal Work Study students work 10 to 20 hours per week. Positions are limited and offered to students who are enrolled at least half-time on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.To find out more about the application process, click here, or contact your Financial Aid Office.

Student Loan Exit Counseling

Students are required to complete loan exit counseling upon graduating or dropping below six credit hours. Exit counseling must be completed at studentloans.gov.

The loan counseling will review a variety of information concerning the borrower's loans, including:

​the terms and conditions of the loan

an example of/or actual monthly payments

available repayment plans

deferment and forbearance options

loan forgiveness and cancellation provisions

the ability to accelerate repayment without a prepayment penalty

the pros and cons of consolidation, such as the impact on minimum monthly payments, loan terms and loan benefits (e.g., the loss of the grace period and forgiveness options)

the consequences of default, including damaged credit, litigation, referral to a collection agency, wage garnishment, offset of income tax refunds, the deduction of collection charges of up to 25% from payments, nonrenewal of professional licenses, and the loss of deferment and forbearance options

availability of tax benefits, such as the student loan interest deduction

Census Date

The Census Date determines the student’s enrollment status for the semester. The enrollment status is used to determine the hours the student is enrolled in for the semester for financial aid purposes. These hours, along with the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), will determine the student’s financial aid award. Please note: a student must be enrolled at least half-time at the time of their loan disbursement in order to qualify to receive the funds. For the upcoming terms, the Census Dates are as follows:

Fall 2014—9/28/2014

PLEASE NOTE: A student CANNOT receive grants from two separate colleges for the same period (term) of enrollment.

Return of Title IV Funds

If a student officially withdraws or is administratively withdrawn from all of his/her classes prior to completing 60% of the period of enrollment, the student will be required to return a portion or all of the federal funds received. A federally regulated calculation is performed by the Financial Aid Office to determine any unearned funds that may have been overpaid to the student. The City Colleges of Chicago will return both the student portion and the school portion of any overpayment to The Department of Education. If this return of funds creates a balance on the student’s account, the student is responsible for that balance.

Rights and Responsibilities of Financial Aid Recipients

Student responsibilities are as follows:

​Must complete all requested forms accurately

Must use all financial aid received solely for educational expenses related to attending the City Colleges of Chicago

Must submit in a timely manner all additional documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office

Must meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies--information about Satisfactory Progress may be found by clicking here

Students have the to:

​​Know how financial need was determined

Know how financial aid will be distributed

Have the right to request an explanation of programs in the financial aid package

Refuse any aid offered

Request an explanation of the City Colleges of Chicago's refund policy

Know what portion of financial aid must be repaid and what portion is a grant. If a loan has been received, have the right to know the interest rate and loan repayment options and procedures

Examine the contents of aid records provided a written request is made to the Financial Aid Office. Students may not review confidential records submitted by parents without the written consent of the parent whose information has been submitted.

Financial Aid Disbursements and Refund Policy

Financial aid is disbursed at different times throughout the academic year.

For the Fall and Spring terms, multiple disbursements of financial aid dollars will occur throughout the payment period/term. The first half of the disbursement will be scheduled 4-6 weeks after the term begins and the remaining disbursement will be scheduled two weeks after mid-term. For the Summer term, 100% of the disbursement will be scheduled 2 weeks after mid-term. To find out about the refund process at the City Colleges of Chicago, click here.

The scheduled disbursement dates for the following terms are:

Fall 2014 (1st 50%)--10/4/2014

Fall 2014 (2nd 50%)--11/1/2014

Please Note: The disbursement process will begin on the date specified above, however the disbursement will not display on the student's account until Monday.

Book Vouchers

Book Vouchers are usually ready a week before classes begin for the semester. A financial aid student’s book voucher is available when that student has a Pell Grant and/or a Federal Direct Loan that exceeds his/her charges for the term. A student must complete a one-time book voucher authorization on the student portal (my.ccc.edu) in order to use the book voucher on our on-line book store. The dates and times for book vouchers will be posted in the Financial Aid Office.Please visit the Financial Aid Office for additional information on book vouchers.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Students are required to maintain good academic standing and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements according to City Colleges of Chicago policy to remain eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. For help understanding the SAP Policy, click here.

No Show Policy

A student who does not attend at least one of the first two class sessions of a class that meets twice a week will receive a No Show Withdrawal (NSW). If the student does not attend the first class session of a class that meets once a week, he or she will receive a NSW. A Student cannot receive financial aid for a class in which he/she receives a NSW, but will be required to pay for the tuition and fees for that class.

If a student decides not to attend their respective college or a particular class, the student should officially withdraw from the class during the add/drop period to avoid being charged for that class.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. To find out more, and to print from the web, click the link below.http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Consumer Information

Additional Consumer Information can be found at the Consumer Information link under About Us:

City Colleges of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability in all educational
and vocational programs, services, activities, and employment. EEO Office